Keeping the iPhone in Mind

4. Don't Forget the Enterprise
Dell's PC business caters to the enterprise. In fact, it's a key partner
with many companies. Its smartphone must appeal to the enterprise market too.
Dell needs tethering support, it needs Exchange, and it needs to have some
enterprise-friendly applications. Without them, Dell would be leaving a key
sector of the market out in the cold.

5. Remember the Extras

Before the iPhone 3G S hit store shelves, the iPhone lacked some of the
basics, like copy and paste and video recording. Dell has to build those
features into its own smartphone from the start. Without them, the Dell
smartphone would be obsolete before it even hits store shelves.

6. Ease of Use Is Key

So many people are happy with their iPhones because it features a high
degree of usability. Sifting through the menus takes no time. The touch-screen
makes using the device quite convenient. Everything is a touch away. Dell's
phone must follow suit.

7. Think Speed
When Apple announced the iPhone 3G S, it made it a point to remind users
that the "S" stands for speed. It sped everything up on the new
iPhone to make it more appealing to users who want to complete tasks as quickly
and efficiently as possible. If the Dell smartphone's response time is slower,
it will be a problem.

8. Remember the User
Apple's success is due to its understanding of who its customers are. Dell
needs to determine who its customers are. Are they consumers looking for
entertainment? Are they professionals looking for productivity? Dell needs to
decide which sector (if not both) it wants to target and provide them with the
necessities they require. Apple did. Look how well it worked for that company.

9. Think Like Apple

Dell also needs to remember Apple when it's building its smartphone. What is
Apple not doing that it can? How can it improve upon the iPhone? Apple is a
master at finding weaknesses in competing products and exploiting them. Dell
should do the same.

10. Remember the Past
Dell failed to maintain the Axim because it didn't see the emerging trend
until it was too late. It can't afford to make that same mistake this time
around. Dell needs to consider the fact that touch-screens are important, an
app store is a necessity, and Apple should be feared.

If it can realize those things, it can put itself in good position to compete
in the market.

Don Reisinger is a freelance technology columnist. He started writing about technology for Ziff-Davis' Gearlog.com. Since then, he has written extremely popular columns for CNET.com, Computerworld, InformationWeek, and others. He has appeared numerous times on national television to share his expertise with viewers. You can follow his every move at http://twitter.com/donreisinger.